CMS Energy Corporation (CMS) vs PPL Corporation (PPL)

PPL leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though CMS is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of CMS Energy Corporation and PPL Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CMS vs PPL

growth of $100 · last 30y
CMS +146.4%PPL +242.3%PPL compounded faster
0100200300400500Start $100200120062011201620212026$246$342
CMS PPL

CMS vs PPL: by the numbers

  • PPL is the larger company ($26.58B vs $22.65B market cap).
  • CMS trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.08 vs 21.54 P/E).
  • PPL converts more revenue to profit (13.09% vs 12.55% net margin).
  • PPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.87% vs 5.66% CAGR).
  • PPL pays the higher dividend yield (3.16% vs 3.04%).

Which is better, CMS or PPL?

Metric tally: CMS 5 · PPL 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCMS(lower P/E)
GrowthPPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePPL(higher dividend yield)
QualityPPL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMSPPL
P/E ratio20.0821.54
Forward P/E17.5616.68
P/S ratio2.502.87
P/B ratio2.331.78
PEG ratio3.450.66
EV / EBITDA12.6412.00

Profitability

MetricCMSPPL
Gross margin64.61%35.20%
Operating margin19.53%23.53%
Net margin12.55%13.09%
ROE11.69%8.12%
ROIC3.67%4.07%

Dividends

MetricCMSPPL
Dividend yield3.04%3.16%
Payout ratio63.03%69.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMSPPL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.66%8.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.90%-3.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-16.59%-4.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.52%8.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CMS or PPL?
It depends on your goal. value: CMS (lower P/E); growth: PPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PPL (higher dividend yield); quality: PPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PPL leads 11 to 5.
Is CMS or PPL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CMS is cheaper: CMS trades at a 20.08 P/E and PPL at 21.54.
Which has grown faster, CMS or PPL?
Over the past five years, PPL grew revenue faster — CMS at a 5.66% CAGR versus PPL at 8.87%.
Does CMS or PPL pay a bigger dividend?
CMS yields 3.04% and PPL yields 3.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CMS or PPL more profitable?
PPL runs the higher net margin — CMS at 12.55% versus PPL at 13.09%.
Which has been the better investment, CMS or PPL?
Over the past 10-year, CMS delivered the higher annualized total return — CMS at 8.44% versus PPL at 3.45%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 18, 2026.